|
|
07-10-2012, 03:37 PM | #1 |
Apex Everything!
976
Rep 4,378
Posts
Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX
|
Warning: 3M tape is not enough for some front splitters
What happened to my 2 month old $2000 Challenge GT3 front splitter:
First of all I want to state that no one is to blame for this but me (for the most part). I got this part about 2 months ago and we installed it using 4 factory screws and the 3M tape that was already applied to it. After a few weeks of driving I noticed one side of the double-sided tape start to come a bit loose in some areas. I assumed that it might have been caused by the clearbra install I had done to the splitter about an hour after we installed it. I thought maybe some of the soapy liquid from the clear bra might have dripped into the cracks and loosened things up. I took the car to Laguna Seca a few days later and by the end of the day half the splitter was hanging off. The other side was stuck on pretty good still so I just drove home without removing it. When I got home I removed the splitter and removed all of the double-sided tape. This time, we completely prepped the splitter and the bottom of my bumper with adhesion promoter before applying a new strip of tape. When we were done, I made sure to let the car sit for a good 1.5 hours and then drove it home (taking only local streets at no more than 40mph) to let it sit for another day. Splitter seemed fine and stuck well for the next few weeks. Then I had a track day at Thunderhill which is about a 2.5 hour drive on the freeway. After that drive, I noticed the splitter starting to come loose again in some areas. I did my first session in the morning and checked the splitter in the paddock. Looked no worse than it was when I got there so I left it on. Halfway through my second session I started to hear something rubbing occasionally. At first I thought it was just cars around me because I only really noticed it when I was passing cars. But when I was exiting the track after the session I could hear that it was definitely me dragging something on the ground. I pull into the paddock and the splitter is hanging from the car. So I know the guys at Challenge have been recommending that if you track the car, you should add more screws to hold the splitter on, but for that to work, the bolts would have to be toward the front of the splitter and I just don't feel right about drilling into the front area of my bumper. Also the splitter kept coming loose just from freeway driving. On the plus side, this diffuser is obviously producing downforce. So in retrospect, I should have went with glue instead of the 3M tape. I think that would have been the better solution. Again, I'm not trying to blame anyone for what happened but me. I just figured I'd share my mistake with the community so you don't end up destroying an expensive diffuser yourself.
__________________
2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer).
My pet project: https://stickershift.com |
07-10-2012, 07:15 PM | #2 |
Brigadier General
1006
Rep 3,341
Posts |
Ouch, that stings a little. Tape makes it easy to replace but with the wind force exerted on decent size lips, spoilers and splitters I'd go hardcore...Betalink it!
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 07:54 PM | #4 |
n1smo
97
Rep 1,483
Posts
Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Huntsville, AL
|
That sucks, sorry to hear. If it makes you feel any better, your car looked just fine without the front lip.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 08:00 PM | #5 |
Apex Everything!
976
Rep 4,378
Posts
Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX
|
Well the lip was functional too (had brake cooling ducts).
__________________
2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer).
My pet project: https://stickershift.com |
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 09:13 PM | #7 |
Apex Everything!
976
Rep 4,378
Posts
Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX
|
I have no idea to be honest. The front and top of the diffuser is perfectly fine (clear bra'd). It's the bottom that has a hole in it.
__________________
2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer).
My pet project: https://stickershift.com |
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 09:29 PM | #8 |
Digger
209
Rep 2,619
Posts |
Dam, that's a pretty big hit
I'd really put the screws in the next time, it will come off much easier than if you glue it and decide to switch it up in the future.... Just have someone else do it while you're not looking, that's what I did and I was in the same boat as you....
__________________
2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG
Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more.... |
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 02:06 AM | #9 | |
DHS
205
Rep 4,012
Posts
Drives: 2023 M4, 2020 Land Rover
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Disneyland
|
Quote:
__________________
2020 Land Rover Velar Autobiography
2023 BMW M4 2016 X3 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 08:54 AM | #11 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
307
Rep 13,093
Posts
Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas
iTrader: (45)
Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00]
2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00] |
That sucks man.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 02:32 PM | #12 |
Colonel
84
Rep 2,792
Posts |
I use a few large dabs of silicone in key locations. It can be removed if needed but the silicone is VERY strong while being a bit flexible (good when you scrape it).
__________________
2008 IB E92 M3| BBS | KW | Arkym | Platte Forme A.G. | Active Autowerke | K&N | Fabspeed | Dinan | Evolve-R |
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 02:55 PM | #13 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
2871
Rep 11,374
Posts |
Sorry to see that
Send me some more photo by pm. Might be able to repair it.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 03:25 PM | #14 |
Apex Everything!
976
Rep 4,378
Posts
Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX
|
Will do. Thanks Nate.
__________________
2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer).
My pet project: https://stickershift.com |
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 03:40 PM | #15 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
307
Rep 13,093
Posts
Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas
iTrader: (45)
Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00]
2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00] |
Fiberglass would repair just not sure if you would want it after that. Maybe use as a track only piece?
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 11:47 AM | #16 |
Private First Class
34
Rep 152
Posts |
I'm about to order my 3rd challenge cf front lip. Cracked both pretty bad, was able to fix the first one and paint it but like the cf so going to order a new challenge lip ASAP.. I personally think its the best lip on the market..
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 12:45 PM | #17 |
Lieutenant Colonel
403
Rep 1,620
Posts |
i ended up placing one screw in the front along with the 3M tape and regular screws. i have a thill event next month. hopefully that holds well enough. i have been checking it and it seems as strong as the day i installed it. guess well see.
__________________
2023 G80 M3 2020 F87 M2C 2011 E82 BMW 1M Series Coupe Check me out at Point.Shift.Drive (YouTube) |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|